Saturday, November 6, 2010

Memphis (day 3) - Downtown

Today, we took the bus and wandered around downtown Memphis. It was another bright sunny day with not a cloud in the sky, although a little cool. Temperature outside when we got up was around 37F (3C) with a high of around 55F (12C). But the bright sun was sure nice and warm.

Part of downtown Memphis

Ruth, sitting at the duck fountain in the lobby of the Peabody Hotel.

The Peabody Hotel has ducks in the lobby. You can find them at the water of the marble fountain in the lobby. The ducks march to the fountain from their rooftop home every day at 11am and back up at 5pm. The marble used for the fountain is one solid peice that was shipped from Italy in time for the hotel's opening in 1925.

Kevin, using one of the original dial telephones at the Peabody Hotel

Schwab General Store on Beale St.

We spent at least a half an hour wandering around this store. Not sure how to describe it because I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. You can buy anything from jokes and bumper stickers to hardware and 1970's style sunglasses. In fact, I think at least half the stuff in the store has probably been on the shelves since the 1970's. This store originally opened in 1876, and I don't think very much has changed over the years. A very interesting place to visit. Most of the items still have the original price sticker on it, even if it's been for sale for 40 or more years.

Today is November 6th.

So we're walking down the street and we notice a street sign that says "November 6th St.". How funny is that?! It turns out that on November the 6th, 1934, Memphis voters did something with who they were buying their power from, and someone thought this was worth naming a street after. Very random, and wouldn't have mattered if we hadn't see the sign on November 6th.

After downtown, we took the bus back towards Lana's house, but stopped on the way to get a late lunch. We had been told of the Central BBQ, where the best BBQ ribs and pulled pork sandwiches are made. And decent prices too, a total of $15 for a large sandwhich for myself, a small one for Ruth, and we shared a good sized house salad.

Then, we tried to get on the bus to come back home, but one never came. So we walked. Always looking back to see if the bus was coming. Eventually one did, but by then we had started walking in a shorter direction and just kept on walking. I checked on google maps and it says we walked 3.5 miles (5.5 kms) just from the BBQ place to Lana's house, and that didn't include all the walking we did around town today.

We had Lana and her boyfriend Wayne over to Sherman for supper tonight

Not sure where we're going to end up tomorrow. We've pretty much decided to avoid the city of Little Rock, although we're headed in that direction. We want to be in Dallas area for Thursday afternoon, so doesn't really give us much time to stop in any one spot for very long.

Yesterday was another relax day. Ruth went into town with a couple of the others to pick up some stuff at the market. This area produces a l...

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